MEETING DATA COLLECTION GOALS QUICKER: AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION TO REDUCE FIELDWORK DURATION IN A MIXED-MODE PANEL...

Area of Science:

• Survey methodology
• Data collection efficiency
• Panel studies

Background:

• Sequential mixed-mode designs are increasingly adopted in panel studies.
• Web-first sequential mixed-mode designs show faster interview completion than telephone-first approaches.
• The feasibility of shortening field periods with these new designs requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a shortened field period on data collection outcomes.
• To determine if accelerated fieldwork protocols can achieve cost savings while meeting study goals.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a 20-week field period compared to a standard 28-week period.

Main Methods:

• An experiment was conducted during the 2023 wave of a US household panel study.
• Participants were randomized into a treatment group (20-week field period) and a control group (28-week field period).
• Fieldwork outcomes including response rates, sample composition, interviewer effort, completion time, costs, and interview quality were compared.

Main Results:

• The accelerated 20-week protocol resulted in higher response rates.
• Interviewer effort was lower in the shortened field period.
• Significant cost savings were achieved with no negative impact on sample composition or interview quality.

Conclusions:

• A shortened 20-week field period is effective for survey data collection using sequential mixed-mode designs.
• Accelerated fieldwork protocols can enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Future research should explore optimal fieldwork durations and strategies.